ryan1112

I got an adjustable rear sway bar from Sam Strano installed over the weekend and other than Koni shocks it's the best suspension mod I've done. The installation was straight forward with the instructions provided. I have BMR rear control arm relocation brackets installed so it was a tight fit but when I got everything bolted down I had plenty of clearance. I had to turn around the lower control arm bolt to get full adjustability which wasn't a big deal.

I was able to test the bar at an autocross the next day and I started at the softest setting. I felt slightly better steering response and better turn in. There was still some understeer but it wasn't as drastic as with the stock bar. At the lunch break I adjusted the bar to the 2nd stiffness setting and WOW, now we're talking. After 2 more runs I went from 7th to 2nd place in my class. Understeer is almost erased! The car rotates well and I'm able to get on the power so much earlier. At the end of the day I was only behind one other car for my first podium finish. (This was done on BFG KDW tires while almost everyone else in my class was on slicks.)
Next up, tires and a front sway bar. I'll probably go to the stiffest setting on the rear bar at that point.

Thanks Sam for all of your help!

Pics to come...

Keith25437

Congratulations! That's awsome, Ryan! It's so encouraging to make suspension changes and actually feel positive results! Youre gonna smoke the field when you get your slicks on!

Scott2

Ryan sounds great. Glad the mod worked for you. Remember the pics.

70MACH1OWNER

Hey Ryan,
Can you provide a link to the bar you bought from Sam. I have installed Steeda springs and Koni shocks, Roush Billet rear control arms and BMR adjustable panhard bar in the last few months and am liking where my cars handling is headed. This rear sway bar may be my next mod!! Meet me in New Carlisle and let me drive your car so I can see how it feels!!
Scott

MARZ

http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=80&ModelID=5

70MACH1OWNER

Thanks but that shut me down in the first sentence!!! Will not fit a convertible!!!!! I have a 2005 Vert!!

ryan1112

Here are some pics. I need to add a washer behind the nut thats on the swaybar adjustment bolt. The ones that came with it were to thick due to my relocation brackets so I just need to drop by the hardware store and get some thinner ones. I didn't realize how dirty it is under my car until i saw it with the camera flash. LOL

Scott, I'm sure Strano can hook you up with a bar that will fit on a vert.

ryan1112

How about you meet me at Kil-kare in Xenia in 2 weeks and you can ride along while I autocross.

70MACH1OWNER

PM me the date and time. If I can I would like to come and be a spectator.

The Reverend

http://www.shelbystore.com/product-p/35115.320.htm works with a convertible. Only $219!

70MACH1OWNER

Interesting. In one place it says it's for GT500's 2007-2010. Below it say's it fits 2005-2010 Mustangs and Shelbys. But it is not adjustable like the original posters. Which is what caught my eye in the first place.

The Reverend

The front and rear has three holes, they are adjustable.

ryan1112

Here's a vid of my best run. I still have a lot to learn about being smooth but I'm getting there. I need to work on keeping my hands in one place on the wheel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Ad1SCJjj4

Sure is faster when you're in the car!

frank s

I installed that on the convertible last week: Front is adjustable, Rear is not. They do work good. Team Shelby members get an additional 15% off, and there is a $20 rebate card in the package. Less than $170 dollars for the kit, which includes both bars, poly bushings, brackets, and the billet body links. Great deal.

metroplex

Did you have to flip the passenger-side panhard bolt around?

ryan1112

No I did not. Sorry for the delayed response.

Modme

Did you have to use any of the factory hardware???

CO_VaporGT_09

Steeda has their copy out, only twice the price!

http://www.steeda.com/store/ford-mus...r-swaybar.html



Rather blatant rip-off, though looks like they modified the axle links to avoid the interference with relocation brackets (I had CHE ones, very big and beefy, and the Strano bar wouldn't fit with them -- needed to take them off anyhow, though, so no big deal for me).

metroplex

It's a better design, the Hellwig I have looks just like Strano's kit. The 2011 has a 24mm rear bar by the way, not 22mm.

CO_VaporGT_09

Quite right, though this pic shows only two adjustment spots on the Hellwig.




http://video.answers.com/ford-mustan...tion-182717795